Maio, No Longer the “Stepchild”

Most visitors come to Cape Verde with the idea of sharing the Cape Verde phenomenon. The manner of participation is the search for retirement and business properties.

Sal, Santiago and, most recently, Boa Vista has monopolized foreign investment to the exclusion of the small island of Maio due to their international airports and a government emphasis on their development. Maio has always taken a back seat to the other islands because of its remoteness and its inability to showcase itself to the world.

Often viewed by other islanders as a quaint, but insignificant, part of the country. Yet it is, incredibly, only 18 miles away from Praia (10 minutes by plane) and 2½ hours by ferry boat from Praia.

With new ferry routes opening up to Sal and Boavista, Maio is easier to reach than ever before.